HMS Winchelsea 1764 by glbarlow - 1:48

[James G]

At the risk of sounding redundant Glenn, absolutely stunning work! A pleasure to follow.

[glbarlow]

Caprails

 

Maybe not the most exciting thing, still installing the caprail is a test determining how well I did at the very beginning building the ship's infrastructure. That work and the pre-testing and fitting I did back then (nearly two years ago now) turned out to be ok for the most part. The laser cut caprail fit the top curves of the hull, finally finishing off the last of the exposed hull.

First up was the waist, a 5/16 plank fit the bill. Seemingly simple, this was a first example of early testing making it so. Originally my run of planking did not leave the flat surface between the scrolls required. It was so much easier to correct that back then than it would have been now.

Way back before I started building I admired how the caprail fitted with the two scrolls and wondered how I’d manage to make that happen. Naturally Chuck has a great design starting with those hance pieces from chapter one on to the scroll moulding and friezes, finally arriving at the curves of the caprail up from the main deck to the quarterdeck, it all works together.

 

The curved portions of the caprail are two pieces pieces glued together extra wide for good reason. First the rail narrows from 5/16 on the main deck to ¾ on the qdeck, plus there is an inward angle as the hull narrows going towards the stern. There was a lot of sanding and fine tuning to create a proper transition up and back. Also I appreciate the extra sets of this curved piece Chuck provides, I’ll just call the first attempt a prototype.

Next up was the quarter deck, first closing up the bulwarks having first painted them red then adding the cap rails. I switched to Admiralty Paints Dull Black for the rails, not sure why the name, it is the very opposite of dull. Though I had to make a few adjustments, for the most part I had a good fit matching the laser cut rail with gentle inward curve from mid-ship to stern.

I always look ahead to determine what I can do now that might be easier than doing it later, the two gangway platforms are an example. They aren’t a simple fit given the angles and placement required, including the tricky fitting of a knee below. It was much easier to build and install them now than later in chapter 11 when I’d have to work around, and likely knock off knowing me, the qdeck rail. The decking for both is fitted, but not glued on, it can wait as can the rest of the gangway.

Staying with the look ahead concept I elected to build the catheads and use them as guides to cut the opening in the hull to the deck called for later. A small laser cut template is provided which of course would work, I just wanted to have as tight a fit as possible and match the angle to the rest of the simulated cat tail below the beams. More importantly I wanted to get this cut made before I’d risk damaging any deck planking. The cat heads are just laying there, this is not how later they'll be mounted further out and at a much higher angle. It’s kinda cool how they make up from seven parts (including sheaves inserted in the slots) to look as one, they will stand out nicely in the final fit.

The bow section of the cat-rails are added, with the catheads laying in the slots confirming a tight fit. It took me a minute to recognize the grain in the wood wasn't more char.

That was followed by the remainder of the forecastle caprails. It’s worth mentioning again as I did in a much earlier post, and as suggested by Chuck and others, to use the paper caprail templates way early as the bow is being framed. Matching them up then makes installing the laser cut caprail easy now. I wouldn’t want to get to this point and find out they didn't not follow the curve of the bow.

 

The final result of the forecastle caprail installed, again with catheads just laying in the slots. You might notice there is no windscreen behind the stove. I did fit it but decided I’d rather have a peek of the stove visible from the main deck. It's such a cool stove and much of it will be hidden by the partial forecastle decking.

 

Note in this photo I’ve also pre-fit the breasthook though I won’t paint it until I can make a final fit after the planking is installed. An over-sized laser cut piece is provided, it took a lot of sanding to get a decent fit for my hull, including a little work on the back side of the bollard timbers.

 

With that I’ll move onward with the balance of chapter nine. Can’t wait to remove more char, if anyone comes up with a char removing formula I’ll be first in line. Wouldn’t it be nice to dip a piece of laser cut material in a little vat and it came out free of char…

 

By the way, while RED, my paint isn't as red as these photographs always make it out to be.  Apparently my workshop lighting and iPhone combine to make everything more vibrant.

 

As always thanks for stopping by with your likes and comments, I appreciate you’re doing so.

 

Edited December 18, 2023 by glbarlow

[jfhealey]

That is looking wonderful Glenn. You must be delighted. I can see you take real care in everything you do. It shows.

Best wishes

Fred

[glbarlow]

5 hours ago, jfhealey said:

you take real care in everything you do.

Than you for noticing, I do try. 

[Rustyj]

Very nice Glenn. It really makes everything look more "finished". It's a great milestone completing the caprails. 

[scrubbyj427]

Very nice Glenn, brilliant job on the cat heads and cap rails! Your Winnie looks incredible!

You’re getting very close to the finish line now. 
 

JJ

[glbarlow]

2 hours ago, Rustyj said:

everything look more "finished

 

2 hours ago, scrubbyj427 said:

getting very close to the finish line

Thank you both as Winnie modelers I’ve followed throughout my build for ideas and inspiration.
 

I seem to being going so much slower lately, these smaller steps are equal time to the larger ones. The addition of a puppy to our house isn’t helping. 🙄🤣

[scrubbyj427]

3 minutes ago, glbarlow said:

 

Thank you both as Winnie modelers I’ve followed throughout my build for ideas and inspiration.
 

I seem to being going so much slower lately, these smaller steps are equal time to the larger ones. The addition of a puppy to our house isn’t helping. 🙄🤣

So many  more important details at this stage that require much care and time.
You’re surly going to pass me soon, I can’t foresee a time in the near future when I’ll be able to finish my Winnie.

[glbarlow]

Belfry

 

I spent a long time on the belfry, lots of char removal on small pieces and tiny mitre cuts. 

As you can see I went a different way using black masking tape and a blackened rope pull I fashioned from brass strip. These were planned. 

After spending hours unsuccessfully trying to remove char from the roof and with assurance from Chuck these were often painted black on contemporary models I went that route. However I weathered my Ironwork Black paint to give it, in my char-addled mind, the look of the lead sheet the captain ordered to prevent wood rot.
 

That’s my story anyway. 
 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. 

Edited December 24, 2023 by glbarlow

[Rustyj]

Very nice Glenn. Very smart of the captain to order it! 

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years to you and your family.

[FrankWouts]

Very nicely done belfry!

Ding-dong, a Merry & Happy Christmas to you and your family!

[scrubbyj427]

That looks awesome Glenn! I may just sneak that onto mine.

Merry Christmas! 

[glbarlow]

On 12/25/2023 at 3:21 AM, FrankWouts said:

Merry & Happy Christmas

 

23 hours ago, scrubbyj427 said:

Merry Christmas! 

Thank you both, it was indeed both a Merry and a Happy Christmas as I hope it was for you. 

[westwood]

Hi Glenn, it's been a while since I last wrote to you.
I must admit, I'm impressed with how far you've come with the build. It's a perfect and clean job that I truly admire!

I wish you all the best in this new year.

And this also applies to all the builders.

[glbarlow]

Margin and outboard Planking

 

Time for the margin planks, waterway, and outboard planking.

I started with the quarter deck. The margin planks are heat bent with my trusty travel iron (I had a brief flash back to those long months planking the hull). I elected to use one long strip and then once shaped I use the template as a pattern to cut a scarf joint midway.

I did the same with the four planks, all ¼ widths I’d ripped and run through the thickness planer, tapering the planks towards the stern per the template and using a razor saw to simulate the planking end cuts and then adding #2 pencil along the long edge for caulking. Running a single long plank with the simulated break made for a cleaner run and easier fit. (the angle of the iPhone photo makes it seam the port side planning seem wider than starboard, it isn’t).

 

I half-rounded a strip for the waterways to finish up the outboard work. This small strip adds a lot, it won’t wash away any water but it does a nice job of bridging the deck and bulwarks.

 

After sanding and 4 coats of WOP it’s done. I may WOP the beam tops late,r for now I haven’t. The q-deck was easy enough and done fairly quickly, the forecastle not so much.

The forecastle margin planks are too curved to bend a plank so they are cut from 3/64 sheet. I started with the template (template beams and actual beams were lined up for measuring, just not for this photo) then added Tamiya tape to make up any differences (really not much, but some) with my hull and transferred the outer edge to the sheet. The outer edges were then cut roughly with a #11 blade.

 

Using dividers, and a technique learned from Rusty, I drew the proper width for the inboard side. This step is done after the cut and completing sanding of the outer edge.

Once again I again did the full length and cut the scarf joint after the fitting, amazing how nice they match up that way.

My Byrnes sander does a nice job of rough sanding the outer curve smooth. The new version with the reversible direction makes it even easier. I converted my mill into a sanding table for rough sanding of the margin and forecastle planks inner curves.

The same process of starting with template, modified by tape, transferred to sheet with double sided tape, rough sanded and finally the time consuming part, final sanding by hand with sanding sticks to a tight fit.

While there are only 6 planks plus the margin plank they are all cut from sheet and sanded to custom fit, a slow process but a rewarding one with the final result.  Once again the waterway and 4 coats of WOP are added (four because that’s how many I used on the main deck so the finish and tone match up). The WOP is wiped on and off and lightly sanded between the second and third coat.

A lot of cut up templates and Tamiya tape were used to make it all work. My blue canary tape is also shown - it serves as an early warning before an elbow snags a cannon barrel. Kinda dumb, but it works.

There is a pronounced curve to these planks, while they were cut with that curve, clamping while gluing keep them that way.

The completed quarterdeck.

 

The completed forecastle.

 

On to the center planking and deck furniture. As always thank you for your comments and the likes and for stopping by.

[Thukydides]

Fantastic work as always.

 

One question I have which I have never been able to reconcile in my head is are the margin plank and the waterway meant to be the same piece of wood (ie we just use the thin strip as a cheat that looks close enough)? Most of the cross-sections I see seem to have the waterway extend under the bulwark planking, or is that the margin plank?

[jfhealey]

2 hours ago, glbarlow said:

and for stopping by.

I'm glad I did Glenn. As ever there is a lot to take in and learn. I will study your latest post carefully as I have done throughout your build.

Best wishes

Fred.

[Gregory]

4 hours ago, Thukydides said:

is are the margin plank and the waterway meant to be the same piece of wood

They are definitely different items.

The waterway acts as a sort of gutter to help keep water from running between the bulwarks/deck and the framing.  It is often modeled as some sort of molding like you might see between a wall and a floor. 

The waterways seen here look somewhat like the molding that is often modeled.

The margin plank in practice, butts up against the waterway.

 

I borrowed the images from a post by Allan in another topic.

[glbarlow]

47 minutes ago, Gregory said:

definitely different items.

Thanks for explaining. I had no idea, I just glue stuff on😁

[glbarlow]

4 hours ago, jfhealey said:

I'm glad I did

And you I’m glad you did and hope it’s helpful. Studying other logs is something I sure do too. 

[glbarlow]

Making some progress these past few days. More detailed post later but just one photo for a quick update on forecastle work. 

[scrubbyj427]

Very Nice Glenn! Your planking  on the bow and QD is perfectly done! Beautiful. 

[KennyH78]

On 1/24/2023 at 3:43 AM, DelF said:

another item to add to the shelf in my workshop labelled "Things Glenn made me buy"

Reading through Glenn's log as I begin my journey on my own build of the Winnie; I have been saying the same thing as I sit on Amazon adding things to cart and checking out.

[Blue Ensign]

Just Beautiful  Glenn, the harsh eye of the macro is testament to the quality of the your work.

 

B.E.

[KennyH78]

Glenn, I just finished reading through your entire log (took a while) and I must say that your Winnie is a work of art!  I will definitely use your log along with Chuck's and a few others as I start my journey down the path of the HMS Winchelsea Group Build.

[VTHokiEE]

Been a little, or a lot, out of the loop but wow you are really creating a wonderful work of art here - love it! Really great job!

[glbarlow]

On 1/13/2024 at 6:32 PM, scrubbyj427 said:

Your planking  on the bow

Thank you, it was a trip, every centerline and port side plank is unique, as you know, only to have to be mirrored on the starboard side. Fun stuff.

[glbarlow]

11 hours ago, KennyH78 said:

Amazon adding things to cart

Where’s the fun if we can’t add new stuff to the workbench. Amazon thanks us. 

[glbarlow]

10 hours ago, Blue Ensign said:

the harsh eye of the macro

The key is to use bright lights to hide stuff🤣🤣. Thank you BE, much appreciated. 

[glbarlow]

1 hour ago, VTHokiEE said:

creating a wonderful work of art here

 

7 hours ago, KennyH78 said:

is a work of art

Not sure about that, but thank you both for saying so.